Ball manufacture



` P. VAN CLEEF 2,025,9l8

BALL MANUFACTURE Filed June 27, 1935 5 Sheets-Shet l //////////////////////////A "s ///////////////////////////A Dec. 31, 1935.

BALL MANUFACTURE Filed June 27. 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 P. vAN CLEEF 2,025918 Dec. 31, 1935. P. VAN CLEEF BALL MANUFACTURE Filed June 27, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 31, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BALL MANUFACTURE Van Cleef, and llaul Van ect Application June`27, 1935, Serial No. 28,785

. The invention relates 'generally to the manufacture of inflatable rubber balls; More particularly the invention relates to that type of rubber ball which consists of a continuous stripiormed side wall, a circular top at the upper marsin of theside wall and a circular bottom at the lower margin of the continuous side wall, and has a valve whereby air may be introduced into it for purposes of inflation.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a method oi making a ball of this type which is an improvement upon and more simple than the various methods heretofore employed and includes as the essential steps thereof first forming a blank consisting of an elongated, rectangular strip having a pair of substantially semicircular pieces along each of its side edges then uniting the end edges of the strip together to form the side wall of the ball and by folding semicircular pieces forming the top and bottom oi the ball. A

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method of ball manufacture which includes the application of reini'orcing strips oi rubber to the meeting or abutting edges of the side wall of the ball and the' top and bottom.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present method of ball manuiacture will be apparent from a. consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinaf ter set forth and are more particularly deflned by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this speciflcation or disclosure and-in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figura 1 is a perspective showing a ball made in accordance with the improved method in a partially inflated condition;

Figur-e 2 is a perspective a fully inflated condition;

Figur-e 3 is a perspective of the blank which is used in carrying out the method to form the continuous side wall and the top and bottom of the ball; i

-Figure 4 is a perspective showing the blank folded in half and the end margins of the strip thereof being cut to provide raw end edges;

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are detail sectional views showing the manner in which the end edges of showing the ball in and properly cementing the marking operation.

3 Claims. (CI. 154-16) the strip oi' the blank are secured together in abutting relation;

Figure 8 is a perspective showing the blank after the straight edges of the semicircular top and bottom iorming pieces have been united 5 or secured together in abutting relation;

Figure 9 is a sectional view showing the blank after reinforcing strips of rubber have been applied to the side margns of the side wall forming strip of the blank; 1

Flgure 10 is a section on the line lil-lo of Fi ure 9; v

Figura -11 is a perspective showing the blank before sealing the rounded or curved edges of the bottom and top forming members to the adjacent 15 side edges or margins of the strip of the blank;

Figura 12 is a sectional view showing the blank after application of the valve to the semicircular to'p-forming pieces;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view show- 20 ing the lower portion of the blank after application of a balancing disk to the semicircular bottom-forming pieces of the blank;

Figur-e 14 is a detail sectional view showing the manner in whichthe rounded or curved edges of the bottom forming pieces of the blank are secured to the adjoining side edge of the strip in order to sea] the bottom of the ball; and

Figure 15 is a sectional view showing 'the manner in which the curved margins of the top forming pieces' are secured to the adjoining side wall forming strip.

The method which forms the subject matter of the invention contemplates the manufacture or -fabrication of an inflatable rubber ball consisting of a continuous side wall 16, a top IT, a bottom I8, and a valve |9. The first step of the method comprises forming a blank 20 from a thin sheet of elastic rubber. This blank, as shown in Figura 3 of the drawings, consists of an elongated strip 40 21, a pair of substantially semicircular pieces 22 along one of the side margins of the strip, and a pair of substantially semicircular pieces 23 along the other or opposite side margin of the strip. If desired the blank may be formed by way of a cutting die of the proper shape or by superposing a pattern on the rubber sheet and then either cutting the sheet around the pattern or marking the sheet by moving a marking implement, such as a pencil, around the edges of the pattern and then by way of a knife or scissors cutting the sheet on the Outline resulting from the The strip 2| of the blank 20 has parallel side edges and parallel end edges and as hereinafter-described forms the side wall !6 V-sh'aped notches of the ball. The pieces 22 along one of the side margins of the strip and the pieces 22 along the other side margin of the strip form respectively the top and bottom of the ball. During forming of the blank 20 a pair of V-shaped notches 24 are cut in one end of the strip 2! and a pair ot 25 are cut in theother end of the strip. The notches 24 are located one opposite the other in the side edges of the strip and are equidistantly spaced from the adjoining end edge of the strip. The notches 25. like the notches' 24, are located one opposite the other. They are disposed in the side edges of the strip 2| and are spaced from the adjoining end edge of the strip a distance equal to the distance between the i notches 24 and the end edge of the strip that adjoins said notches 24.' The substantially semicircular pieces 22 are the same in size and have a radus which is the same as that of the cylindrical side wall IS which as hereinafter described is formed by joining together the end margins of the strip 2 I. As shown in the drawings, the pieces 22 are joined to the strip 2l at the mid joints of their curved edges. By having the pieces 22 joined to the strip as stated the straight edges of the pieces extend parallel to the side edges of the strip 2| of the blank. The distance between the points at which the pieces 22 join the strip 2| is equal to one half of the distance between the notches 24 and the notches 25. pieces ZI are disposed one diametrically opposite the other into a band in order to iorm the side wall IS of the ball. The pieces 22 are slightly more than truly semicircular and have V-shaped notches 26 in the curved edges thereo at points slightly inwards from the end portions of their straight edges. These notches 26 are preferably cut in the pieces 22 at the time that the blank 20 is formed and are positioned from the edge of the strip 20 to which the pieces 22 are joined or attached a distance corresponding or equal to the radius of the pieces 22. The senlcircular pieces 23 are exactly the same in size as the pieces 22. They are disposed one directly opposite one of the pieces 22 and the other directly opposite the other of the pieces 22 and are joined to the adjacent side margin of the strip 2| of the blank 20 at the mid points of the curved edges thereof. V-shaped notches 21 are cut in the'portions of the curved edges of the pieces 23 at points inwardly of the end portions of the straight edges of the pieces. These notches 21 are preferably cut in the pieces 23 at the time that the blank 20 is formed and are spaced from the edge of the strip 2| to which the pieces 23 are joined a distance equal to the radius of the pieces.

After forming the blank 20 the end edges of the strip 2| of the blank are joined or united together in order to form the band which constitutes the side wall IS of the ball. This is done or accomplished by centrally folding the strip 2| and bringing the end edges of the strip into -registry with one another as shown in Figure 4. After folding the strip 2| in thismanner the portions of the strip that are outwardly of the notches 24 and 25 are cut away. The cutting is preferably done by placing a straight edge s so that it extends from the superposed notches inone of the side edges of the strip 2| to the superposed edges in the other side edge of the strip and then running a knife k along the straight edge as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawing. After the cutting operation or step a coating 23 of rubber cement (see Figure 6) is applied to the raw Because of this the when the strip is formedor cut end edges of the strip 2| and the strip is then opened up or manipulated so as to bring the raw or cut end edges into abutting reiation. As soon as the cut end edges of the strip are brought into abutting reiation the coating 28 of 5 rubber cement serves to join or secure them together. As soon as the rubber cement sets a strip 29 of rubber (see Figure 7) is cemented to the inner face of the strip 2| along the coating 28. This rubber strip 29 is preferably of such 10 length that it extends from one side edge of the strip 2l to the other and serves to reinforce or strengthen the ?joint between the abutting end edges of the strip. As soon as the end edges of the strip 2| are joined together the strip is in the form o! a band and constitutes the continuous side wall IS oi the ball. The joining` j together ot the end edges of the strip 2l of the i blank constitutes the second step of the improved method.

The third step of the method consists in joining together in abutting reiation the straight edges of the pieces 22 in order to form at the top of the blank a disk or circular member which constitutes the top l'l of the ball. In joining 25 the straight edges of the pieces 22 together the pieces are first by proper folding of the strip 2l placed one overl the other in edge to edge relation. Thereafter the portions of the pieces 22 that are outwardly of the notches 26 are cut 30' away and a coating 30 of rubber cement is applied to the raw or cut edges. Immediately after application of the coating 30 the pieces 22 are manipulated so as to bring the cut or raw edges into abutting reiation. Upon hardening of the coating 30 a strip 3| of rubber is cemented to the inner faces ot the pieces '22 so that it underlies the aforementioned coating of rubber cement and reinforces the joint or seam between the abutting edges of the pieces 22. By cutting 40 away the portions of the members 22 that are disposed outwardly of the notches 26 the pieces 22 are formed so that they are truly aemicircuiar in shape and when joined together at the straight edges thereof form the circular top l'l of the ball.

The ourth step of the method consists in joining together the straight edges of the pieces 23 in order to form a disk or circular member which constitutes the bottom !8 of the ball. The straight edges of the pieces 23 are joined together in the same manner as the straight edges of the pieces 22 are 'joined together and that is by cutting off the portions thereof that are disposed outwardly of the notches 21 and then after application of a coating of rubber cement to the cut or raw edges of the pieces 23 manipulating the pieces so as to bring the raw edges into abutting relation. In order to reinforce the joint or seam between the abutting edges of the pieces 23 a strip 32 of rubber is cemented to the inner faces of the pieces so that it extends along' the rubber coating.

After forming the disks or circular members which constitutes the top and bottom of the ball a pair of reinorcing strips 33 are applied to the margin of the strip 2| having the pieces 22 and a pair of reini'orcing strips 34 are applied to` the margin of the strip 2l having the pieces 23. The strips 33 are formed of rubber and are cemented to the inner face of the strip. 2| so that they extend around the margin of the strip between the points at which the pieces 22 are joined to the strip 2| and the outer halt portions thereof project beyond the adjoining edge of contiguous side edge of the strip 2l.

the strip 2! (see Figur-e 9). The strips 34, like the strips 33, are formed of rubber. They are margin of the strip between the points at which.

the semicircular bottom forming pieces 23 are joined to the strip 2| and the outer halt portions thereof project beyond the adjoining or The strips 33 and 34. as hereinai'ter described, serve as a medium for securing the curved or rounded edges oi' the pieces 22 and 23 in abutting relation with the side edges of the strip 2| of the blank 20.

After cementing or applying the strips 33 and 34 to the side edges o! the strip 2| of the blank 20 the valve !9 is attached to the semicircular top forming pieces 22 as shown in Figure 12 of the drawings. The valve comprises a rubber tube 35 and an attaching piece 36. One end of the tube extends through and is secured to the central portion of the attaching piece 36. In applying the valve the pieces 22 are first cut so that at the central portion of the meeting edges thereof they have a round hole 31 and an arcuate slit 33 at one side o'fthe hole. Thereaiter the attaching piece 36 is cemented at its margins to the inner faces ot the top i'orming pieces 22 so that the tube 35 is aligned with the hole 31, and .the central portion thereof forms with the superjacent portion of the pieces 22 a pocket 39. The tube 35 is adapted to extend through the hole 31 for ball lnflating and deflating purposes.

' Because the tube is formed of rubber it is collapsible and after being used to inflate the ball may be withdrawn from the hole and doubled over within the pocket by inserting an element into the pocket through the slit 38 and pushing the tube towards the portion of the pocket that is remote from the slit. A Preferably the valve |3 is of the type and character shown and described in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,994,790, granted March 19, 1935, to Ward E. Roedding. forming pieces 22 of the blank 20 constitutes the fifth step of the improved method.

The sixth step of the method consists in cementing a rubber disk 40-to the central portion of the meeting edges of the bottom forming pieces 23 of the blank 20. This disk is preferably the same in weight as the valve |9 and serves to balance the ball.

After applying or attaching in place the valve IS and the balancing disk the covered or rounded edges of the bottom forming pieces 23 are joined in abutting relation to the contiguous side edge of the strip 2| and thereafter the curved or rounded edges of the top forming pieces 22 are joined to the other side edge of the strip 2| of the blank 20.

In securing in place the rounded edges of the bottom i'orming pieces 23, a cylindrical wooden block b is employed. This block is cylindrical and is slightly smaller in diameter than the band which constitutes the side wall IS of the ball and is formed by the strip 2| after the end edges of the latter are secured together in abutting 'relation by the coating 23 of rubber cement and the reinforcing strip 23. The block b has rounded or bevelled corners and is adapted to be inserted into the strip-formed band and positioned so that one comer thereoi' is substantially on a level with the side edge of the strip 2| that has the semicircular bottom forming pieces 23;

After placing the block b in its proper position Applying the valve I! to the top 3 rubber cement is applied to the outeror free portions of the rubber strips 34 and thereafter the curvedmargina1 portions of the pieces 23 are brought into contact with the portions of the strips 34 The block serves as a form or support and permits the person carrying out the method to press the curved marginal portions or bottom-forming pieces 33 into firm contact with the rubber strips v 34. Attachment or joining of'the rounded or 1 curved margins of the pieces 23 to the strips 34 constitutes the seventh step of the method and results in closin g or scaling of the bottom of the ball.

After cementing or securing in place the pieces 16 23 the block b is removed from the strip formed band'which constitutes the side wall of the ball and the lower portion of the band is folded or telescoped withinthe upper portion of the band so as to bring the ball bottom |8 slightly below 20 the level of the reinforcing strips 33. Thereafter the block is inserted into the telescoped part and the rounded or curved margins of the top forming pieces 22 are secured to the strips 33 by applying rubber cement to thefree or outer 25 portions of the strips 33 and pressing the aforementioned marginal portions of the pieces 22 into firm contact with the cement coated portions of the pieces 22 into firm contact with the cement co'ated portions of the strips. securing the curved or rounded margins of the pieces 22 to the strips 33 constitutes the eighth step of the method and results in closure or sealing of the top of the ball. In securing the bottom and top forming pieces in place the curved edges of the 35 pieces are brought into abutting relation with the side edges of the strip 2l 'and are cemented to such edges. 4

The final step of the improved' method consists in placing the ball on 'a sheet metal form 40 (not shown) and subjecting it to steam under the proper conditions in order to cure it.

The ball that is formed by the herein described method of manufacture or fabrication is exceptionally strong due to the reinorcement of the various abutting edges of the parts there of. When the ball is inflated to its fullest extent it is spherical in form as shown'in Figure 2 of the drawings.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth, sincethese may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing'from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I clatirrs as new and desire to secure by Letters Paten 1. That improvement in the manufacture of an inflatable ball of the continuous side members and circular top and bottom member type which 00 includes first forming from sheet rubber a. onepiece blank consisting of an elongated, straight sided strip and on each side of the strip a pair of substantially semicircular pieces having the mid points of the curved edges thereoi' joined to the contiguous side edge of the strip at points that are spaced apart a distance substantally equal to one-half the length of the strip, then joining together in abrtting relation the end edges of the strip in order to form the continuous side member of the ball, then bending inwardly the pieces of each pair and securing the straight edges thereof in abutting relation'in order to.

'form the top and bottom members of the ball, then applying a valve to one of the members of having the coating of rubber cement. 5

the ball, and finally securing the rounded edges an inflatable ball o! the oontinuous side wall and of all four pieces of the blank to the contiguous circul'ar top and bottom type which includes first portions of the side edges o! the strip in order to forming !rom sheet rubber a one-piece blank anchor or secure in place the top and bottom consisting ot anelon'gated straight sided strip members and complete the ball; A and on each side o! the strip a pair of substan- 2. That improvement in the manuacture oi' an tially semicircular pieces having the mid points inflatable ball. of the continuous side wall and of the curved edges thereot joined to' the concircular top and bottom .type which includes first tiguous side edge of the strip at points spaced orming from sheet rubber a one-piece blank apart'a distance substantially equal to one-halt consisting of an elongated, straight sided, strip the length of the strip, then Joining in abutting and on each side oi the strip a pair of substanrelation the end edges of the strip in order to tially semicircular pieces having the mid points form the continuous side wall of the ball, then of the curved edges thereot joined to the conbending inwardly the pieces of each' pair and tiguous side edge of the strip at points spaced joining together in abutting relation the straight apart a distance substantiaily equal to one-half edges of .the pieces in order to form the top and the length oi the strip, then joining in abutting bottom of the ball. then applying rubber strips .relation the edges of the strip in orde? to form to the i'nner faces ot the portions oi' the side ,the continrous side wall of the ball, then bending margins of the strip between the juncture points inwardly the pieces of one pair and joining the of the pieces in such a manner that portions straight edges thereof in abutting relation in thereof Pr ject Outwardly beyond said marglal order to form the top of the ball, then be'nding portions and then applying a valve to the pieceinwardly the pieces of the other pair and joining formed top of the ball and finally securing the the straight edges thereof together. in order to rounded edges of all four pieces to the projecting form the bottom of the ball, then applying a valve parts of the rubber strips and cementing the to the piece-formed top, and finally securing the rounded edges of said four pieces into abutting rounded edges of all four semicircular pieces of relation with the contiguous portions of the side the blank to the contiguous portions of the side edges of the strip in order to secure in place the edges of the strip in order to seal the top and bottop and bottom ,and complete the ball. tom to the side wall and complete the ball.

3. That improvement in the manuacture of PAUL VAN CLEEF.` ao 

